Cornel West & Ralph Nader Part of Group Seeking Candidates to Mount Primary Challenge Against President Obama in 2012

Cornel West and Ralph Nader part of group seeking liberal candidates to challenge President Obama in the upcoming primary ahead of 2012 general election.

Cornel West strikes again. This time, he's part of a group, with consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who are seeking candidates willing to mount a primary challenge against President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election. The group said it faults Obama for the escalation of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for extending tax cuts first enacted by George W. Bush and for his actions during the recent debt ceiling negotiations, according to the Washington Post.

The group said Saturday it is seeking six “recognizable, articulate” candidates who would not mount serious challenges to Obama, but “rigorously debate his policy stands” on issues related to labor, poverty, foreign policy, civil rights and consumer protections.

The group’s efforts come as Democrats are growing increasingly pessimistic about the country’s direction. Fewer than three-quarters of Democrats approve of Obama’s job performance, and less than a third believe the nation is headed in the right direction, according to the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Cornel West hasn't been making any friends in the White House and I suspect many blacks won't pay much attention to him either. What gets me is that he was largely missing in action when the black community was down and out before, so why the sudden care and compassion now? Um, where's his sidekick Tavis Smiley? Joining Nader and West are Chris Townsend of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and Brent Blackwelder, president emeritus of Friends of the Earth.

United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America